Late Spring last year, Myra was searching on line for Hydrangea Paniculata.

We had this shrub many years ago and I was keen to reintroduce it. Recently we had been talking once again about moving house, however we decided we would pot it up and if we did move we would take it with us (well we did move,and we did take it with us)

She didn’t tell me that this form of Hydrangea Paniculata was named  (Pinky Winky)  Ah well, you cant judge a book by its cover nor a plant by its name.

Well anyway, the shrub arrived in early May, about 30 inches tall and leaves starting to grow. I potted it up in a decent sized container and cut it back to about 12 inches.  I didn’t really expect it to bloom in its first year, but it did not bad at all.

The flowers at first open white and as they age turn a definite pink. .

Picture of Pinky Winky above shows how the plant was looking  in the second week of August.

The RHS were less concerned about the naming of this plant than I was, in fact it received the prestigious award of garden merit.

I am informed that the blooms of pinky Winky can grow to a length of 16 inches.

By the time mid September came around all the blooms had turned to a distinct dusky shade of pink.

Later on in Autumn new flower buds started to open, giving the shrub a great show of  both white and pink blooms at the same time.

I guess I have already forgiven whoever named this shrub Pinky Bloomin Winky, however if I am asked by any visitor the name of this plant I wont be surprised if I simply say Hydrangea Paniculata.

•Hardiness *** Fully hardy

•Position *** Full sun/partial shade

•Soil *** Loamy soil neutral to slightly acidic

•Height *** About 4ft if pruned back hard each Spring

*** Hydrangea paniculata pinky winky ***

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Well, here we are, now living in Cheshire.

No doubt it is going to take some time to feel settled,  I have been tiddling about in the garden, and as I have mentioned before it is very much smaller than what we had in Aberdeen.

Last time we moved house, which was twenty eight years ago it was the garden which received our attention first of all.. This time around the house is getting the works first of all.

Here below is a few pictures of the front garden.  Its not any smaller than the front garden of our Aberdeen house, very different though and it has the added attraction of being next to a woodland area.

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Here we have the back garden which is going to be a bit of a challenge.  Not only is it small but by the time we have our extension built it will be even smaller, on top of that it is north facing.  What have you done, I hear you say.

Well, there you go, that’s it. The woodland and Myra’s feeding has attracted masses of garden birds and an equal amount of Squirrels which she finds equally appealing, better plant the Spring bulbs deep though.

I will keep you up to date on what’s going on with us in Cheshire East.

ps   never did find a way of adding the video of our appearance on Gardeners World, never mind, you didn’t miss very much.

If you happen to leave a comment I will be sure to visit your site and do the same

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